Rare hand coloured copy. A rare hand-coloured copy of the first quarto edition of the Daniells' masterpiece. Abbey notes that only a few copies were issued with hand-coloured plates. This work contains plates carefully reduced and copied from the large folio edition, published between 1795 and 1808, under the Daniells' direction.

'[Thomas] Daniell, assisted by his nephew [William], produced his best-known work Oriental Scenery (issued in six series) of Indian views making a total of 144 hand-coloured aquatint views of India. These represent Mughal and Dravidian monuments, cityscapes and sublime views of mountains and waterfalls and formed the most extensive work of its kind, finding subscribers throughout Britain as well as in Calcutta and Madras' (ODNB).

Six parts in 3 volumes, 4to (39.5 x 28 cm); 158 aquatint plates comprising (144 views all in fine original hand colour, 6 title-pages and 8 plans), text watermarked 1809; the text leaves being toned throughout, not affecting plates, 12 plates in vol. IV & 15 plates in vol. VI with small light waterstain to margin in gutter; contemporary maroon half morocco gilt, marbled sides, a fine set, the plates with clean fresh original hand-colouring.

Abbey (Travel), 432; Archer p.235; Sutton 13.